Passing the Torch

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  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 924th Fighter Group held a unit inactivation and assumption of command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. March 8.

At the ceremony the 45th Fighter Squadron was inactivated and the 47th Fighter Squadron took over its mission of augmenting the Air Combat Command as an A-10C training squadron as part of the Total Force Integration program. During the same ceremony Lt. Col. Terry McClain assumed command of the 47th FS.

Col John Russell, 924th Fighter Group commander, presided over the dual ceremony and highlighted the significance of the day during his remarks.

'We gather here to mark the inactivation of the 45th Fighter Squadron, recognize the move of the 47 FS to Davis Monthan and to have Lt. Col. McClain assume command of the 47th and this new unit equipped A-10 training mission," he told the group.

"During the last five plus year's, members of the 45th FS have trained A-10 mission ready pilots alongside our Regular Air Force team," continued Russell. "Most of those graduated pilots have gone on to their operational units and have flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan or sat ready in Korea. Our 45th FS instructors typically flew 22-25% of the Formal Training Unit's sorties on a monthly basis and I'm convinced our training here at Davis Monthan is the best it has ever been thanks to the total force team."

The 47th FS is now the Air Force Reserve Command's only combined classic and active association unit.

"This means we'll have some reservists flying down in the active duty dragon squadron to give them some experience and continuity," said McClain. "At the same time members from the 355 Fighter Wing will be working in the 47th FS."

The responsibility of the training, educating, and mentoring A-10 Thunderbolt pilots fell into the hands of the 47th FS beginning in December 2013.

"The same product will come out of the active duty unit and the reserve unit," said McClain. "One of the benefits of the Reserves is that active-duty personnel rotate every three years, in the reserves, we show up and we stay. There are also less training costs and a smaller footprint."

After the assumption of command ceremony McClain spent a few minutes talking to the Airmen in his new squadron.

"To the men and women of the 47th I know a tremendous amount of effort has been expended over the last year to get us to this point today, but even more is needed now as we pick up the Formal Training Unit load. Thanks in advance for all of you hard work as we continue to transition into the squadron. Tr-1 starts on Monday and I know you'll be ready."

The 45th FS was first activated Dec. 1, 1940 as the 45th Pursuit Squadron and was located at Wheeler Field, territory of Hawaii. The unit provided defense for the Hawaiian Islands and flew combat mission in the Central Pacific until it was inactivated in 1946. The unit has been activated and inactivated several times over the years but has participated in operations in North Africa, Southwest Asia (Vietnam and Thailand), before transitioning to the A-10 aircraft and being assigned to Davis Monthan first under the 355th Fighter Wing and then as a reserve unit under the 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.